Residents label furniture store plans for former nightclub ‘boring’

Olivia Meades

In the year Thursdays nightclub has been closed, there have been numerous rumours claiming that the old stomping ground might be revived as another entertainment venue.

However, the recent news that a furniture store has submitted an application to take over the building may have quashed these speculations for good.

Neptune plans to open up a bespoke furniture showroom and café at the site in Drayton Lane, Oving, stating that this type of business would be well suited to the ‘historic fabric’ of the city.

Within the planning documents, agent Gail Pilkington said: “The retailer aims to provide a destination shopping trip rather than a conventional comparison retail activity, which is price focused.

“The purpose of the showroom is to provide a visualisation of potential interior design solutions rather than focus on the sale of individual items.”

The application adds that while the building was previously a nightclub, the use as such is not ‘employment generating’ and activity only takes place on a limited number of days in the week.

Neptune’s planning agent said that the Drayton House site would be best suited to its business as ‘the majority of retail units in Chichester are small and not well-suited’ for the size of its display units.

The application added that the House of Fraser department store is limited in its household furniture department and Argos only offers flatpack furniture.

Residents reacted to the announcement stating that the plan was ‘boring’, claiming the city does not need another furniture store or cafe.

Former Thursdays party-goers have begun a petition to bring back the nightclub, and so far received 480 signatures.

Charlotte Burton-Barker said: “Since the closure, many of us have tried other means of entertainment, including Sheiks and Portsmouth but nothing has compared to Thursdays.

“It’s was a place for us to bond, many friendships and relationships have been founded on the dance floor.”

Miss Burton-Barker added: “If it’s turned into a furniture showroom I think it will be a wasted use of the space as Chichester already has furniture stores.”